FY2026 City Council Legislative Budget Review
We'll be updating this page with information regarding the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget review process.
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Have questions? Contact:
City Council
About the Process
Creation and Approval of the Municipal Budget
The Boston City Charter lays out the responsibilities and timeline for creation and approval of the City budget. The Mayor is in charge of creating the annual City operating budget, and submitting it to the City Council no later than the second Wednesday in April of each year. The City Council is responsible for reviewing this budget proposal, and voting on it no later than the second Wednesday in June. The Mayor also submits to the Council dockets related to spending and borrowing money and acquiring land to support the City's Capital Plan.
The City’s fiscal year runs from July 1 – June 30. We are currently in FY25. The upcoming fiscal year will be FY26.
FY26 City Council Review Process
The City Council begins planning and advocating for the budget in January. After the Mayor submits her budget proposal in April, the Council reviews the Mayor’s budget proposal from the middle of April until June. This process is run by the Chair of the Committee on Ways and Means, Councilor Brian J. Worrell. This year, the process will involve approximately 35 public hearings, during which time the Council will hear from the departments that comprise the greatest percentage of the operating budget, as well as a few smaller departments. These hearings will also cover revolving funds and other budget-related appropriations. The Council will also have working sessions to discuss Councilors' budget priorities and potential amendments.
Council hearings will be held in the Iannella Chamber, on the fifth floor of Boston City Hall. The public is encouraged to watch all the hearings in person or via livestream or broadcast on Xfinity Channel 8, RCN Channel 82, and Fios 964.
Public testimony is welcomed and encouraged at all departmental hearings, as well as at dedicated public testimony hearings. See below for the hearing calendar and ways to testify!
Full Schedule
Schedule| Topic | Public Notice |
|---|---|
| Topic | Working Session: BPS RFI |
| Public Notice | Monday, February 3, at 10 a.m. (Piemonte Room) |
| Topic | Working Session: Departmental RFI |
| Public Notice | Monday, February 10, at 2 p.m. (Piemonte Room) |
| Topic | Public Testimony |
| Public Notice | |
| Topic |
Working Session: BPS Budget Priorities |
| Public Notice | Monday, February 24, at 10 a.m. (Curley Room) |
| Topic |
FY26 Revenue + FY25 Revenue to Date |
| Public Notice | Thursday, February 27, at 10 a.m. (Iannella Chamber) |
| Topic |
Working Session: BPS Budget Priorities (with BPS)
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| Public Notice | Monday, March 3, at 2 p.m. (Piemonte Room) |
| Topic |
Working Session: Departmental Budget Priorities |
| Public Notice | |
| Topic |
Working Session: Departmental Budget Priorities #2 |
| Public Notice | |
| Topic |
Public Testimony |
| Public Notice | |
| Topic |
Working Session: Budget Data |
| Public Notice |
Related links
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Who's Involved:
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Have questions? Contact:
City Council
